Noninvasive brain scans, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have led to basic science discoveries about the human brain, but they've had only limited impacts on people's day-to-day lives. A review article published in the Jan. 7 issue of the Cell Press journal Neuron, however, highlights a number of recent studies showing that brain imaging can help predict an individual's future learning, criminality, health-related behaviors and response to drug or behavioral treatments. The technology may offer opportunities to personalize educational and clinical practices.
